Image transfer apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

An image transfer apparatus comprises an input operable to receive a signal comprising two non-stereoscopic images for different respective viewpoints of a virtual environment, a first output and a second output, and a signal splitter logic, and in which the signal splitter logic is operable to extract and separate the two non-stereoscopic images from the received signal, to format each of the two separated images for reception by a respective conventional 2D to display, and to output to the first output and the second output a respective signal comprising one of the two separate images.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a image transfer apparatus and method.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There is an ongoing desire to provide improved displays for videogame users. Recently this has resulted in the provision of 3D displays that use active shutter technology. Active shutter technology uses rapidly switching LCD panels in a pair of glasses make alternate lenses opaque to the TV display. When used in synchronisation with a 3DTV that shows rapidly alternating left and right views of a stereoscopic image, an apparent 3D image is perceived by the viewer. The 3D effect arises because only the viewer's left eye sees the left stereoscopic frame, and only the viewer's right eye sees the right stereoscopic frame.

Recently it has also been appreciated that this system can be used to provide separate full-screen monoscopic views for two players of a game on the same 3D TV. See for example http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/06/06/new-3d-display-and-ps3-accessories-debut-at-e3/

In this case, the left and right images of a stereoscopic output are replaced with first and second viewpoints of first and second players of a game, and each player has a pair of active shutter glasses where, instead of the left and right lenses alternately becoming opaque, both lenses blink in synchrony with display of the respective player's viewpoint. As a result, both players can see a full-screen monoscopic image of the game from their own viewpoint on the same 3D TV.

However, there is still scope to exploit 3D TV signals in other ways.

The present invention seeks to address this opportunity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, an image transfer apparatus is provided in accordance with claim 1.

In another aspect, a method of image transfer is provided in accordance with claim 13.

Further respective aspects and features of the invention are defined in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an entertainment device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a signal splitter box in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams of active shutter glasses in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a surround sound configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a surround sound configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method of image transfer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An image transfer apparatus and method are disclosed. In the following description, a number of specific details are presented in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to a person skilled in the art that these specific details need not be employed to practise the present invention. Conversely, specific details known to the person skilled in the art are omitted for the purposes of clarity where appropriate.

The display arrangements described previously herein assume possession of a 3D TV that is capable of a dual-view mode, in order to allow two players to see respective full-screen images of a game. However, presently the proportion of 3D TVs in the market is small, and the proportion enabling a dual-view mode is smaller still, making access to this feature limited. This makes development of games that support a dual-view mode less attractive to developers. Consequently, it would be desirable either for such dual-view games to somehow be able to drive a conventional 3D TV, or to drive two separate conventional televisions, each providing respective a view of the game for one of two players.

To this end, a videogame console, such as the Sony® PlayStation® 3 (PS3®), could in theory separately drive two standard (monoscopic) televisions (i.e. one for each user/player) so as to allow two players to enjoy a respective full-screen experience. However, in practice the PS3 only comprises one HDMI-out port, meaning it cannot conventionally drive two standard TVs.

Referring now to FIG. 1, this schematically illustrates the overall system architecture of the Sony® Playstation 3® entertainment device. A system unit 10 is provided, with various peripheral devices connectable to the system unit.

The system unit 10 comprises: a Cell processor 100; a Rambus® dynamic random access memory (XDRAM) unit 500; a Reality Synthesiser graphics unit 200 with a dedicated video random access memory (VRAM) unit 250; and an I/O bridge 700.

The system unit 10 also comprises a Blu Ray® Disk BD-ROM® optical disk reader 430 for reading from a disk 440 and a removable slot-in hard disk drive (HDD) 400, accessible through the I/O bridge 700. Optionally the system unit also comprises a memory card reader 450 for reading compact flash memory cards, Memory Stick® memory cards and the like, which is similarly accessible through the I/O bridge 700.

The I/O bridge 700 also connects to four Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 ports 710; a gigabit Ethernet port 720; an IEEE 802.11b/g wireless network (Wi-Fi) port 730; and a Bluetooth® wireless link port 740 capable of supporting up to seven Bluetooth connections.

In operation the I/O bridge 700 handles all wireless, USB and Ethernet data, including data from one or more game controllers 751. For example when a user is playing a game, the I/O bridge 700 receives data from the game controller 751 via a Bluetooth link and directs it to the Cell processor 100, which updates the current state of the game accordingly.

The wireless, USB and Ethernet ports also provide connectivity for other peripheral devices in addition to game controllers 751, such as: a remote control 752; a keyboard 753; a mouse 754; a portable entertainment device 755 such as a Sony Playstation Portable® entertainment device; a video camera such as an EyeToy® video camera 756; and a microphone headset to 757. Such peripheral devices may therefore in principle be connected to the system unit 10 wirelessly; for example the portable entertainment device 755 may communicate via a Wi-Fi ad-hoc connection, whilst the microphone headset 757 may communicate via a Bluetooth link.

The provision of these interfaces means that the Playstation 3 device is also potentially compatible with other peripheral devices such as digital video recorders (DVRs), set-top boxes, digital cameras, portable media players, Voice over IP telephones, mobile telephones, printers and scanners.

In addition, a legacy memory card reader 410 may be connected to the system unit via a USB port 710, enabling the reading of memory cards 420 of the kind used by the Playstation® or Playstation 2® devices.

In the present embodiment, the game controller 751 is operable to communicate wirelessly with the system unit 10 via the Bluetooth link. However, the game controller 751 can instead be connected to a USB port, thereby also providing power by which to charge the battery of the game controller 751. In addition to one or more analog joysticks and conventional control buttons, the game controller is sensitive to motion in 6 degrees of freedom, corresponding to translation and rotation in each axis. Consequently gestures and movements by the user of the game controller may be translated as inputs to a game in addition to or instead of conventional button or joystick commands. Optionally, other wirelessly enabled peripheral devices such as the Playstation Portable device or the Playstation Move® may be used as a controller. In the case of the Playstation Portable device, additional game or control information (for example, control instructions or number of lives) may be provided on the screen of the device.

In the case of the Playstation Move, control information may be provided both by internal motion sensors and by video monitoring of the light on the Playstation Move device. Other alternative or supplementary control devices may also be used, such as a dance mat (not shown), a light gun (not shown), a steering wheel and pedals (not shown) or bespoke controllers, such as a single or several large buttons for a rapid-response quiz game (also not shown).

The remote control 752 is also operable to communicate wirelessly with the system unit 10 via a Bluetooth link. The remote control 752 comprises controls suitable for the operation of the Blu Ray Disk BD-ROM reader 430 and for the navigation of disk content.

The Blu Ray Disk BD-ROM reader 430 is operable to read CD-ROMs compatible with the Playstation and PlayStation 2 devices, in addition to conventional pre-recorded and recordable CDs, and so-called Super Audio CDs. The reader 430 is also operable to read DVD-ROMs compatible with the Playstation 2 and PlayStation 3 devices, in addition to conventional pre-recorded and recordable DVDs. The reader 430 is further operable to read BD-ROMs compatible with the Playstation 3 device, as well as conventional pre-recorded and recordable Blu-Ray Disks.

The system unit 10 is operable to supply audio and video, either generated or decoded by the Playstation 3 device via the Reality Synthesiser graphics unit 200, through audio and video connectors to a display and sound output device 300 such as a monitor or television set having a display 305 and one or more loudspeakers 310. The audio connectors 210 may include conventional analogue and digital outputs whilst the video connectors 220 may variously include component video, S-video, composite video and a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) output. Consequently, video output may be in formats such as PAL or NTSC, or in 720p, 1080i or 1080p high definition.

Audio processing (generation, decoding and so on) is performed by the Cell processor 100. The Playstation 3 device's operating system supports Dolby® 5.1 surround sound, Dolby® Theatre Surround (DTS), and the decoding of 7.1 surround sound from Blu-Ray® disks.

In the present embodiment, the video camera 756 comprises a single charge coupled device (CCD), an LED indicator, and hardware-based real-time data compression and encoding apparatus so that compressed video data may be transmitted in an appropriate format such as an intra-image based MPEG (motion picture expert group) standard for decoding by the system unit 10. The camera LED indicator is arranged to illuminate in response to appropriate control data from the system unit 10, for example to signify adverse lighting conditions. Embodiments of the video camera 756 may variously connect to the system unit 10 via a USB, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi communication port. Embodiments of the video camera may include one or more associated microphones and also be capable of transmitting audio data. In embodiments of the video camera, the CCD may have a resolution suitable for high-definition video capture. In use, images captured by the video camera may for example be incorporated within a game or interpreted as game control inputs.

In general, in order for successful data communication to occur with a peripheral device such as a video camera or remote control via one of the communication ports of the system unit 10, an appropriate piece of software such as a device driver should be provided. Device driver technology is well-known and will not be described in detail here, except to say that the skilled man will be aware that a device driver or similar software interface may be required in the present embodiment described.

Software instructions implemented by the Cell processor 100 and/or the RSX 200 may be supplied at manufacture and stored on the HDD 400, and/or may be supplied on a data carrier or storage medium such as an optical disk or solid state memory, or via a transmission medium such as a wired or wireless network or internet connection, or via combinations of these.

The software supplied at manufacture comprises system firmware and the Playstation 3 device's operating system (OS). In operation, the OS provides a user interface enabling a user to select from a variety of functions, including playing a game, listening to music, viewing photographs, or viewing a video. The interface takes the form of a so-called cross media-bar (XMB), with categories of function arranged horizontally. The user navigates by moving through the function icons (representing the functions) horizontally using the game controller 751, remote control 752 or other suitable control device so as to highlight a desired function icon, at which point options pertaining to that function appear as a vertically scrollable list of option icons centred on that function icon, which may be navigated in analogous fashion. However, if a game, audio or movie disk 440 is inserted into the BD-ROM optical disk reader 430, the Playstation 3 device may select appropriate options automatically (for example, by commencing the game), or may provide relevant options (for example, to select between playing an audio disk or compressing its content to the HDD 400).

In addition, the OS provides an on-line capability, including a web browser, an interface with an on-line store from which additional game content, demonstration games (demos) and other media may be downloaded, and a friends management capability, providing on-line communication with other Playstation 3 device users nominated by the user of the current device; for example, by text, audio or video depending on the peripheral devices available. The on-line capability also provides for on-line communication, content download and content purchase during play of a suitably configured game, and for updating the firmware and OS of the Playstation 3 device itself. It will be appreciated that the term “on-line” does not imply the physical presence of wires, as the term can also apply to wireless connections of various types.

As noted above, the PS3 comprises one HDMI-out port. Consequently whilst it can support one 3D TV, it cannot easily support two separate conventional displays.

Turning now to FIG. 2, in an embodiment of the present invention an HDMI splitter box 1000 is connected to the PS3 (or any suitable source of videogame output) via an HDMI cable (not shown).

The splitter box comprises an HDMI input 1010, two HDMI outputs 1020, 1030, a splitter logic 1040 (such as a CPU and conventional associated support architecture, or a custom chip), and optionally an audio splitter logic 1042, which may be separate from or part of the splitter logic 1040. Also optionally, the splitter box may comprise a transmitter 1050 for transmitting control signals to active shutter glasses. The transmitter may be optical (e.g. using infra-red signals) or use wireless radio (e.g. Bluetooth®).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the splitter box may contain its own extended display identification data (EDID), enabling the PS3 (or other suitable devices) to query the splitter box, for example to determine what modes and capabilities it has. This EDID may be provided by a separate chip (not shown) generated by the splitter logic.

In an embodiment of the present invention the splitter box is operable in each of a plurality of modes having different capabilities. Modes may be selected by analysis of the signal received by the HDMI input, based upon existing HDMI protocols. Alternately or in addition, modes may be explicitly selected by the PS3 using predetermined signals via the HDMI cable, or where a Bluetooth communication system is provided in the splitter box, via Bluetooth. Alternatively or in addition, user inputs for mode selection may be provided on the box and/or via a user remote control.

The modes affect how signals are sent to a primary display and, where used, a secondary to display. Some modes are intended for use with one display (typically a 3D TV or projector), whilst others are intended for use with two displays (typically two conventional displays, such as conventional TVs, monitors or projectors).

Modes for Use with One Display

Standard 3D TV Mode

In an embodiment of the present invention, the splitter box provides in a standard 3D TV mode. In this mode, the splitter box EDID identifies to the PS3 that it is able to receive a conventional 3D TV signal. In addition, optionally the splitter logic reads the supported video modes from the display. The supported video modes are then reported by the splitter logic to the PS3. This enables the PS3 to output a 3D TV image in a mode compatible with the display.

The splitter box then receives a conventional 3D TV signal at the HDMI input and, providing it corresponds to one of the reported supported video modes, it relays it to the display.

3D TV Dual View Mode

As noted above, a 3D TV may not support a dual-view mode in which two monoscopic (non-stereoscopic) images are tow be view by two respective users or groups of users.

In an embodiment of the present invention the splitter box supports a 3D TV dual view mode. In this mode, the splitter box EDID identifies to the PS3 that it is able to receive a dual-view 3D TV signal. In addition, optionally the splitter logic reads the supported video modes from the display. The supported video modes are then reported by the splitter logic to the PS3.

Meanwhile, the splitter box identifies itself to the conventional 3D TV as a conventional 3D TV signal source.

The PS3 then transmits a dual view signal as a 3D signal in a conventional manner, and this is sent via the splitter box to the 3D TV, which displays it as if it is a conventional 3D image. Hence, as noted previously, the signal is nominally a 3D TV signal, but where the left and to right stereoscopic images are conventionally encoded, the signal instead contains first and second player viewpoints.

However, the conventional 3D TV is not capable of dual-view display. More specifically, a conventional 3D TV is arranged to send control signals to all paired active shutter glasses to alternate between left and right lenses in sync with alternate displayed images. However, this is the incorrect approach for a dual view signal, as it would result in both players seeing a confused jumble of images from both viewpoints.

Consequently, where the splitter logic has detected that the 3D TV is not capable of dual view (for example by analysis of the 3D TV's EDID data) then in an embodiment of the present invention the splitter box (via Bluetooth, as a non-limiting example), sends a different set of control signals to the active shutter glasses, telling respective active shutter glasses to blink (i.e. make opaque) both lenses in sync with every other image, so as to only see a respective one of the dual views.

When using Bluetooth in this way, consequently advantageously the same pair of active shutter glasses can be used for both conventional 3D viewing and in dual view mode, depending upon whether they were paired under Bluetooth with the TV or with the splitter box.

Alternatively or in addition, the splitter logic may signal to the PS3 to generate these Bluetooth control signals.

Referring to FIG. 3A, active shutter glasses 3000A comprise a Bluetooth receiver 3010 operable to pair with either a TV or the splitter box (or the PS3, as applicable). A button to activate the pairing process may also be provided (not shown).

In this way, the splitter box in combination with a conventional 3D TV can provide a dual-view capability on that 3D TV.

As an alternative to Bluetooth, referring now also to FIG. 3B, a pair of active shutter glasses 3000B may comprise an infra-red receiver 3030 and be controlled by infra-red signals. In this case it is not possible to explicitly pair the glasses to the device instead of the TV. Hence in this case the glasses could still receive infra-red control signals from the TV. However, the splitter box can nevertheless transmit infra-red signals of its own. A signal detector logic 3020 in the glasses is then arranged to distinguish both signal types (e.g. by correlation with stored templates) and where the splitter box's signal is detected in addition to the TV's, then the signal detector logic can be arranged to give preference to the control signals from the splitter box. In this way the glasses can switch from a default 3D mode controlled by the TV to a dual-view mode controlled by the splitter box when the splitter box is in this mode.

Modes for Use with Two Displays

For convenience, one may consider the two displays to be a primary display and a secondary display. Typically the primary display may be a main display that is permanently connected to the splitter box, whilst the secondary display is a visiting display temporarily connected to the splitter box (for example a smaller portable TV brought by a friend). However it will be appreciated that this is merely an example.

In practice, which display is treated as the primary display may be based on a number of factors. For example, in 3D TV modes the primary display may taken to be only one of two displays that is capable of displaying 3D TV signals. Similarly, the primary display may be taken to be the one reporting the largest screen size and/or highest native resolution. Alternatively, the primary display may be defined as the display connected to a particular one of the HDMI outputs, which may consequently be marked as being for a primary display. Similarly, a user-operable switch or remote control option may allow the user to specify which display is the primary display.

Notably the two displays may be of different sizes, and may also have different capabilities, such as different native resolutions.

Standard TV Splitter Mode

In an embodiment of the present invention the splitter box supports a standard TV splitter mode. In this mode the splitter box EDID reports that the splitter box is a conventional HDMI receiver, and the splitter box takes a standard (monoscopic) HDMI signal received at the HDMI input. In this mode, the splitter logic simply duplicates the signal for both HDMI outputs, thereby enabling identical display of the signal on two displays.

In addition, optionally the splitter logic reads the supported video modes from the primary display and reports these to the PS3 in a similar manner to that for the standard 3D TV mode discussed previously.

Optionally, splitter logic also reads the supported video modes of the secondary display, and compares these with the modes of the primary display. The splitter logic then only reports to the PS3 those modes found in common between the primary and secondary displays. This advantageously ensures that the PS3's output will be visible on both displays. This may be a factor when, for example, a smaller secondary TV is only capable of a 720p resolution, whilst the primary display is also capable of 1080p resolution.

3D TV Splitter Mode

In an embodiment of the present invention the splitter box supports a 3D TV splitter mode. In this mode, the splitter box EDID identifies to the PS3 that it is able to receive a conventional 3D TV signal. The splitter box then operates in a similar manner to the standard splitter mode above, but using a 3D TV signal as an input. Consequently the 3D TV signal is duplicated and sent to the HDMI outputs.

In an embodiment of the present invention, optionally the splitter logic reads the supported video modes of both displays. If the splitter logic detects that only one of the displays is a 3D TV, whilst the other display is a conventional (monoscopic) TV, then the splitter logic splits the signal to provide the 3D TV with the 3D TV signal, and to provide the conventional display with only one of the stereoscopic pair of images. In this case optionally image processing means may be included in the splitter logic to extract and/or format the provided image in a manner supported by the conventional television. Such stereo to mono conversion techniques are discussed later herein.

Conventional TV Dual-View Splitter Mode

In an embodiment of the present invention the splitter box supports a conventional TV dual-view splitter mode. Like the 3D TV dual-view mode, the output from the PS3 is a dual view 3D TV signal. Again, as noted previously, this signal is nominally a 3D TV signal, but where the left and right stereoscopic images are conventionally encoded, the signal instead contains first and second player viewpoints.

In this mode, the splitter box EDID identifies to the PS3 that it is able to receive a dual-view 3D TV signal. Consequently the PS3 operates as it if is connected to a dual-view capable 3D TV. Meanwhile, the splitter box identifies itself to each of two connected TVs as a conventional (monoscopic) HDMI source.

In use, the PS3 runs a dual-view capable application, such as a game. The PS3 then operates as though it is connected to a dual-view capable 3D TV, and outputs a dual-view 3D TV image for the viewpoints of first and second players of the game, as described previously.

In this case, the splitter logic provides the conventional primary and secondary displays respectively with alternate frames of the 3D TV image corresponding to the alternate viewpoints, formatted as conventional (monoscopic) HDMI television signals.

That is to say, the splitter logic consistently extracts image frames corresponding to the viewpoint of the first player and supplies these to one of the primary and secondary displays as a conventional monoscopic image, and also consistently extracts image frames corresponding to the viewpoint of the second player and supplies these to the other of the primary and secondary displays as a conventional monoscopic image.

The specific manner of extraction will vary depending on how the stereoscopic image signal, as used by the dual-view system, is formatted. For the avoidance of doubt, whilst the signal may still be referred to as a stereoscopic image signal, it will be understood that the actual content carried by this signal is not stereoscopic but is a dual-view image signal as described previously.

Consequently the splitter logic may support one or more of the following stereo-to-mono extraction (conversion) modes:

Where the first and second dual-view images are interleaved in a progressive scan image, the extraction process extracts alternate lines of the progressive scan to form two conventional interlaced images, one for each display. Hence an input 1080p stereoscopic image signal results in two 1080i mono image outputs.

Where the first and second dual-view images are vertically compressed and stacked in a progressive scan image, the top and bottom halves of this image are separated and vertically expanded to form two conventional interlaced images, one for each display. Hence again a 1080p stereoscopic image signal input results in two 1080i mono image outputs.

Where the left and right stereo images are presented as alternating separate image frames over time, then these alternate frames are extracted as a whole to form respective images, one for each display. Hence a 1080p stereoscopic image signal input results in two 1080p mono image outputs each at a half frame rate, or a 1080i stereoscopic image signal input results in two 1080i mono image outputs each at a half frame rate. Since in this case the source frame rate will be double the conventional frame rate, the resultant two mono outputs will be generated at the conventional frame rate.

In each extraction mode, appropriate modifications to the header and/or data structure of the mono output images may be implemented. For example, metadata associated with the image may be changed to indicate that the resulting image frame is a conventional interlaced image frame in a format recognised by the intended display.

Other formats and extraction modes may be apparent to the skilled person. For example the left and right stereo images may be horizontally compressed and transmitted side by side in an image. In this case the left and right halves can be separated and horizontally expanded to form two images.

In short, the splitter box implements the separation of the 3D images that is normally implemented by a 3D TV, and additionally provides a suitable data wrapper to forward the two separated images as a conventional monoscopic images to a respective display.

Moreover, advantageously this process is transparent to the PS3. Consequently with the splitter box connected, the PS3 can generate dual-view 3D signals that are usable by a dual-view capable 3D TV, or a conventional 3D TV whose active shutter glasses can be paired to the splitter box, or to two conventional monoscopic TVs. As a result the number of people who are able to use the dual view capability of a game is increased, making provision of such a facility more attractive to game developers.

Referring now also to FIGS. 4 and 5, in the conventional TV dual-view splitter mode, it will be appreciated that the respective displays may have their own loudspeaker systems.

This provides the opportunity to also generate respective audio separately for the different viewpoints of the players, such that audio for the position of a first player within the game environment is played by their display, whilst audio for the position of a second player within the game environment is played by the other display. This provides for a more immersive experience than if the common audio normally sent to a dual-view 3D TV is also sent to both conventional TVs.

Consequently in a further embodiment of the present invention, the PS3 is operable in a corresponding conventional TV dual-view splitter mode to format the audio signal that it outputs on the single HDMI channel to enable the audio splitter logic of the splitter box to generate separate audio for the two conventional displays.

In particular, where the HDMI audio supports 5.1 or 7.1 channel surround sound, a predetermined four of these channels can instead be supplied with two pairs of stereo audio signals corresponding to the audio appropriate to the position of each of the two players in the videogame.

The audio splitter logic of the splitter box is then operable to extract these two stereo audio signals from the 5.1 or 7.1 audio signal received from the PS3, and respectively incorporates them into the HDMI signal being transmitted to the respective display.

It will be appreciated that any four channels may be selected for this purpose, but a preferred mapping is as follows:

For the primary display 1, map a left stereo channel 1L to the left front speaker channel, and a right stereo channel 1R to the right front speaker channel. Meanwhile for the secondary to display 2, map a left stereo channel 2L to the right rear speaker channel, and a right stereo channel 2R to the left rear speaker channel. Notably, the left/right channels for the secondary display are apparently reversed in this configuration.

Whilst the splitter box can extract these channels and provide them to the primary and secondary displays (with the stereo signals for the secondary display being reversed to be the correct way around), this mapping means that if a user routes (or also routes) their HDMI signal via a multimedia amplifier 2000, then the resulting deployment of the two stereo signals within a 5.1 or 7.1 speaker configuration would enable the secondary display to be mounted between the rear speakers of such a configuration and in that position enjoy apparently correct stereo reproduction.

This arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 4.

It will be appreciated that other arrangements may be possible. For example, in a 5.1 system the stereo signal for the primary display could be sent on the left front and centre front channels, whilst the stereo signal for the secondary display could be sent with the left signal on the right front channel and the right signal on the right rear channel, so that the players and displays could be mounted at 90 degrees to each other.

This arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 5.

Consequently in an embodiment of the present invention, the PS3 is operable (either under instruction from the OS or the dual-view enabled game itself) to allow the users to specify the position of the secondary display in the case where audio will be sent to a 5.1 or 7.1 surround-sound system, so that the PS3 can select an appropriate set of channels to generate respective stereo sound on the system consistent with the position of the displays.

Hence in conjunction with the PS3 (or any suitable games system) the splitter box can drive either just the loudspeakers of the displays, or a separate 5.1 or 7.1 loudspeaker system, or both.

Finally, in an embodiment of the present invention, the components of the splitter box as described herein may form part of a more general peripheral device for an entertainment to device such as the PS3 (or vice versa). For example, the components of the splitter box may form part of a digital video broadcast TV receiver such as the Sony® PlayTV® or PlayTV 2 peripheral, which receives DVB broadcasts and sends them to the PS3 for display or recording, and which is controlled by the PS3. In this case the HDMI input 1010 may be replaced by or supplemented with a USB input/output port. In addition, the receiver may also act as a further video image source for conventional and 3D TV images to be split as described herein by the splitter logic. In this case the received signal may be passed directly to the splitter logic, or the signal may be sent to the PS3 for processing and then received back from the Playstation 3 via the HDMI input 1010, optionally augmented by additional image data such as an electronic program guide. In either case the Playstation 3 will remain the source of dual-view videogame images for splitting or display as described herein.

Hence in a summary embodiment for a splitter box operating, for example, in conjunction with two conventional televisions (such as two monoscopic televisions with HDMI inputs or similar) and a PS3, the splitter box operates as an image transfer apparatus in conventional TV Dual View mode, and comprises an input (e.g. the HDMI input 1010) operable to receive a signal comprising two non-stereoscopic images for different respective viewpoints of a virtual environment (i.e. a dual-view videogame signal from the PS3). In addition the splitter box comprises the first output and a second output (HDMI outputs 1020 and 1030) and the signal splitter logic 1040. In operation, the signal splitter logic is then able to extract and separate the two non-stereoscopic images from the received signal in the manner described previously herein. The signal splitter logic can then format each of the two separated images for reception by a respective conventional 2D display. As noted previously, this may involve use of suitable EDID signals to the displays and also any known modification of header data or data formatting required to be compatible with expected conventional 2D TV signals. Then the splitter box is operable to output to the first output and the second output a respective signal comprising one of the two separate images.

In more detail, in this mode the splitter box is arranged to transmit extended display identification data to a source of the received signal, the data indicating that the apparatus is capable of dual-view display of the two images, and in which the apparatus is arranged to transmit extended display identification data to a recipient of the transmitted signal, the data indicating that the apparatus is a source of conventional 2D TV signals.

As noted previously, the two non-stereoscopic images may be combined within a dual view signal in a number of different ways. Consequently the splitter box may be operable to extract the images in one or more of the following non-limiting ways:

In one way, the signal splitter logic is operable to extract and separate the two images from a received signal in which the two images are interleaved in a progressive scan image, by extracting alternate lines of the progressive scan image to form two conventional interlaced 2D images.

In another way, the signal splitter logic is operable to extract and separate the two images from a received signal in which the two images are vertically compressed and stacked in a progressive scan image, by separating the top and bottom halves of this progressive scan image and vertically expanding these to form two conventional interlaced 2D images.

In yet another way, the signal splitter logic is operable to extract and separate the two images from a received signal in which the two images are presented as alternating separate image frames over time by extracting alternate frames to form two series of conventional 2D images.

As was also noted previously, it may be preferable to also provide separate audio for the two displays, the audio corresponding to the respective position of the users' viewpoints within the virtual environment. Consequently, in this summary embodiment the splitter box may comprise an audio splitter logic 1042 (which as noted previously may be part of the main signal splitter logic 1040). This audio splitter logic is operable to extract and separate the two stereo audio signals from a surround-sound signal forming part of the received signal comprising the two non-stereoscopic images. Once separated out, it can then output to the first output and the second output a respective signal comprising a respective one of the two separated stereo audio signals.

In addition to the conventional TV Dual View mode, the splitter box may also operate in any of the modes described herein, including for example the 3D TV dual view mode and the 3D TV splitter mode.

Hence in this summary embodiment, for the 3D TV splitter mode the splitter box operates as an image transfer apparatus in which the input 1010 is operable to receive a signal comprising a true stereoscopic pair of images for display on a 3D display. The signal splitter is operable to duplicate the signal for routing to the two outputs. The splitter box is then arranged to output the signal to a display detected as a 3D display. However, to accommodate the possibility that only one of the TV's connected to the splitter box is a 3D TV (for example the primary display), the signal splitter logic is also operable to detect a whether a display connected to each output is a 3D display, and to convert the signal to a monoscopic signal for output to a display detected as being a conventional 2D display.

Similarly, in this summary embodiment, for the 3D TV dual view mode the splitter box operates as an image transfer apparatus, which comprises a transmitter 1050 operable to transmit control signals to at least two active shutter glasses, the control signals arranged to allow respective wearers of the glasses to only view a respective one of the two non-stereoscopic images, and in which the first output is operable to transmit a signal comprising the two non-stereoscopic images formatted as a stereoscopic image to at least a first display. It will be appreciated that the formatting will be implemented by the signal splitting logic. As noted previously, this may be achieved by use of EDID signals to the display and also any known modification of header data or data formatting required to be compatible with expected 3D TV signals.

The splitter box will typically form part of an audio visual system comprising the splitter box itself and an entertainment device 10 such as the PS3, operable to generate the signal comprising two images for different respective non-stereoscopic viewpoints of a virtual environment and also operable to transmit this signal to the splitter box, for example via an HDMI lead to the splitter box HDMI input 1010.

It will be appreciated that the splitter box may take the form of a separate plug-in peripheral device for a console such as the PS3, or may be integrated within such a console. Similarly it may be integrated into a display device (such as a 3D TV), such that one output links internally to the integrated TV and one output links to an external port of the TV, enabling the second TV to be connected to it.

As noted previously, the components of the splitter box may similarly be incorporated within a digital video broadcast receiver (or vice-versa), in which the receiver is operable to send the received digital video broadcast signals to the PS3 (e.g. via a USB cable), and the HDMI to input 1010 is arranged to receive a signal comprising images from the digital video broadcast back from the PS3, which may be augmented with additional graphical overlays such as electronic program guide data.

In such a system, the entertainment device may be operable to configure a surround-sound signal (such as 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound) for inclusion with the signal transmitted to the image transfer apparatus, the surround-sound signal comprising two separate stereo audio signals (i.e. two sets of two channels arranged on a subset of the six or eight surround sound channels). In one configuration, a first stereo audio signal has a left channel on the surround sound front left channel, and a right channel on the surround sound front right channel, and a second stereo audio signal has a left channel on the surround sound rear right channel, and a right channel on the surround sound rear left channel. Alternatively or in addition the entertainment device can comprise a user interface for setting which surround sound-channels are used to carry the two stereo audio signals.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a method of image transfer comprises:

In a first step s10, receiving a signal comprising two non-stereoscopic images for different respective viewpoints of a virtual environment;

In a second step s20, extracting and separating the two non-stereoscopic images from the received signal;

In a third step s30, formatting each of the two separated images for reception by a respective conventional 2D display; and

In a fourth step s40, outputting to a first output and a second output a respective signal comprising a respective one of the two separate images.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that variations in the above method corresponding to operation of the various embodiments of the apparatus as described and claimed herein are considered within the scope of the present invention, including but not limited to:

-   -   extracting and separating two stereo audio signals from a         surround-sound signal forming part of the received signal         comprising the two non-stereoscopic images, and outputting to         the first output and the second output a respective signal         comprising a respective one of the two separated stereo audio         signals.

Finally, it will be appreciated that the methods disclosed herein may be carried out on conventional hardware suitably adapted as applicable by software instruction or by the inclusion or substitution of dedicated hardware.

Thus the required adaptation to existing parts of a conventional equivalent device may be implemented in the form of a computer program product or similar object of manufacture comprising processor implementable instructions stored on a data carrier such as a floppy disk, optical disk, hard disk, PROM, RAM, flash memory or any combination of these or other storage media, or transmitted via data signals on a network such as an Ethernet, a wireless network, the Internet, or any combination of these of other networks, or realised in hardware as an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) or an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or other configurable circuit suitable to use in adapting the conventional equivalent device.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. An image transfer apparatus, comprising: a first output and a second output; an input operable to receive a signal; and a signal splitter logic operable in at least a first and a second mode; in which for a received signal comprising two non-stereoscopic images for different respective viewpoints of a virtual environment; the signal splitter logic is operable in the first mode: to extract and separate the two non-stereoscopic images from the received signal; to format each of the two separated images for reception by a respective conventional 2D display; and to output to the first output and the second output a respective signal comprising one of the two separate images; and in which for a received signal comprising a true stereoscopic pair of images for display on a 3D display, the signal splitter logic operable in the second mode: to detect whether a display connected to each output is a 3D display or a conventional 2D display; to output the signal to a display detected as a 3D display; and to convert the signal to a monoscopic signal for output to a display detected as a conventional 2D display.
 2. An image transfer apparatus according to claim 1, in which the apparatus is arranged to transmit extended display identification data to a source of the received signal, the data indicating that the apparatus is capable of dual-view display of the two images, and in which the apparatus is arranged to transmit extended display identification data to a recipient of the transmitted signal, the data indicating that the apparatus is a source of conventional 2D TV signals.
 3. An image transfer apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: an audio splitter logic; and in which the audio splitter logic is operable to extract and separate two stereo audio signals from a surround-sound signal forming part of the received signal comprising the two non-stereoscopic images; and to output to the first output and the second output a respective signal comprising a respective one of the two separated stereo audio signals.
 4. An image transfer apparatus according to claim 1, in which the signal splitter logic is operable to extract and separate the two images from a received signal in which the two images are interleaved in a progressive scan image, by extracting alternate lines of the progressive scan image to form two conventional interlaced 2D images.
 5. An image transfer apparatus according to claim 1, in which the signal splitter logic is operable to extract and separate the two images from a received signal in which the two images are vertically compressed and stacked in a progressive scan image, by separating the top and bottom halves of this progressive scan image and vertically expanding these to form two conventional interlaced 2D images.
 6. An image transfer apparatus according to claim 1, in which the signal splitter logic is operable to extract and separate the two images from a received signal in which the two images are presented as alternating separate image frames over time by extracting alternate frames to form two series of conventional 2D images.
 7. An image transfer apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a transmitter operable to transmit control signals to at least two active shutter glasses, the control signals arranged to allow respective wearers of the glasses to only view a respective one of the two non-stereoscopic images; and in which the first output is operable to transmit a signal comprising the two non-stereoscopic images formatted as a stereoscopic image to at least a first display.
 8. An audio visual system comprising: an image transfer apparatus according to claim 1; and an entertainment device operable to generate a signal comprising two images for different respective non-stereoscopic viewpoints of a virtual environment and to transmit this signal to the image transfer apparatus.
 9. An audio visual system according to claim 8, in which the entertainment device is operable to configure a surround-sound signal for inclusion with the signal transmitted to the image transfer apparatus, the surround-sound signal comprising two separate stereo audio signals.
 10. An audio-visual system according to claim 9, in which the entertainment device is arranged to configure the surround-sound signal so that a first stereo audio signal has a left channel on the surround sound front left channel, and a right channel on the surround sound front right channel, and so that a second stereo audio signal has a left channel on the surround sound rear right channel, and a right channel on the surround sound rear left channel.
 11. An audio-visual system according to claim 9, in which the image transfer apparatus comprises a digital video broadcast receiver; and in which the receiver is operable to send the received digital video broadcast signals to the entertainment device, and the input is arranged to receive a signal comprising images from the digital video broadcast back from the entertainment device.
 12. A method of image transfer comprising the steps of: receiving either a signal comprising two non-stereoscopic images for different respective viewpoints of a virtual environment, or a signal comprising a true stereoscopic pair of images for display on a 3D display; in which if the received signal comprises two non-stereoscopic images for different respective viewpoints of a virtual environment, operating a splitting logic in a first mode comprising the steps of: extracting and separating the two non-stereoscopic images from the received signal; formatting each of the two separated images for reception by a respective conventional 2D display; and outputting to a first output and a second output a respective signal comprising a respective one of the two separate images; and in which if the received signal comprises a true stereoscopic pair of images for display on a 3D display, operating a splitting logic in a second mode comprising the steps of: detecting whether a connected display is a 3D display; outputting the signal to a display detected as a 3D display; and converting the signal to a monoscopic signal for output to a display detected as a conventional 2D display.
 13. A method of image transfer according to claim 12, comprising the steps of: extracting and separating two stereo audio signals from a surround-sound signal forming part of the received signal comprising the two non-stereoscopic images; and outputting to the first output and the second output a respective signal comprising a respective one of the two separated stereo audio signals.
 14. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium recorded with a computer program, the computer program, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to implement the method claim
 12. 